35Q The Story of The Bronx 



Avenue on the lower level. Here is the Morris Heights 

 station of the Central and Putnam railroads; and on the river 

 bank, an extensive plant for the building of naphtha yachts 

 and launches. Several of the fast torpedo boats of the 

 United States Navy have also been built here, and a naval 

 officer to superintend government work is usually stationed 

 at the works. 



From this point southward to Washington Bridge, the ridge 

 was formerly occupied by a succession of fine residences and 

 estates, many of which have already found their way into 

 the hands of the real estate broker. These residences were 

 built between 1840 and i860, and like those on the eastern 

 side of the Borough, were the homes of people of wealth, 

 culture, and refinement. There were no railroads in those 

 days, but access was had to this vicinity by private conveyance 

 and by the boats that used to ply the Harlem River and con- 

 nect at Harlem Bridge with the fast boats running to Peck 

 Slip by way of the East River. The widening and improve- 

 ment of Aqueduct Avenue furnish a magnificent driveway 

 and boulevard from Washington Bridge. Just south of High- 

 bridge is the southern line of the ancient manor, a line running 

 east to the Bronx River at West Farms. 



The neighborhood of Highbridge is called Highbridgevillc, 

 though it extends along Devoe's Neck as far as Central Bridge. 

 In the days of the river steamers, Highbridge was a favorite 

 resort, and hotels and restaurants did well. The view from 

 the bridge on a moonlight night was a beautiful one — to see 

 the river stretching away in both directions and glittering 

 in the moonlight, while the streets and avenues of northern 

 Manhattan were marked out by the rows of glimmering gas 

 lamps, reaching away for miles, to the upper end of Central 

 Park at 1 10th Street, with few houses to break their continuity. 



